An appeal hearing connected to a controversial housing development near Burgess Hill is due to begin tomorrow.
On Tuesday (May 14th), a planning inspector is due to open a public hearing on proposals to build two two-storey homes at the Manor Nursery site in Theobalds Road.
The appeal comes after Lewes District Council refused to grant the scheme planning permission in July last year, largely due to concerns about its impact on the nearby Grade II* listed Theobalds Farm.
In a report at the time, a council planning officer said: “It is considered that the limited benefit provided by two new dwellings, neither of which would provide affordable housing, would be significantly outweighed by the harm caused as a result of the negative impact upon the surrounding rural environment and the suburbanisation of the site and the harm to the setting of the Grade II* Listed Building.”
Concerns around this impact were shared by Historic England, although the heritage body did conclude the harm caused by the development would be “less than substantial”.
The scheme had also generated a number of objections from residents, who had raised concerns about the impact of new housing on highways and other local infrastructure.
The applicant disputes the council’s conclusion, however, arguing the local authority did not put enough weight on the delivery of new houses when it made its decision.
In a statement submitted as part of the appeal, a spokesman for the developer said: “Development of this site will be seen as a natural extension to the existing settlement, with the design, scale and layout in keeping with neighbouring development.
“The site is very well enclosed and the layout of the proposed dwellings positions them in such a way that they will be barely perceived by users of the bridleway. There is no harm to highway safely, the additional vehicle movement having a negligible impact, and there is no harm to the amenity of existing occupiers.
“In essence [it] is the appellant’s case that there are no adverse impacts in relation to the proposals, that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposals.”
The hearing, to be held at Wivelsfield Village Hall, is due to begin at 10am. It is expected to last for one day.
